Self-propelled ice shelter

ABSTRACT

A self-propelled ice shelter includes a frame, a housing and a drive device attached to the frame, and a power source attached to the frame to the drive device. The power source propels the self-propelled ice shelter. A weather stripping skirt substantially seals the space between the housing and the surface on which the self-propelled ice shelter is positioned when the self-propelled ice shelter is stationary. In some embodiments, the self-propelled ice shelter includes a leveler attached to the frame for leveling the self-propelled ice shelter when stationary. The ice shelter includes a template attached to the frame, that is used to mark the position of openings with respect to the footprint of the housing that correspond with openings in the of the housing of the self-propelled ice shelter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is related to a shelter and moreparticularly to self-propelled ice shelter used for fishing and the likeas well as a method for using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As we have progressed and evolved to a more affluent and mobilesociety, we have experienced not only an increase in outdoor recreationactivities, but we have also witnessed sportsmen of all walks allocatingmore hours from their lives to leisure-time activities. This has broughtabout larger geographical travel areas and a significant increase indollars spent on such leisure-time activities.

[0003] On of the growing areas of interest and enjoyment for individualsand families is that of fishing. With the growing popularity of anglinghas come the evolution of techniques and the advent of moresophisticated angling equipment, including high powered bass boats,depth finders and controversial underwater cameras. As normally followsany improvement in technology for a given task, efficiencies areincreased, and fishing is no exception.

[0004] Increased efficiencies in angling, along with more people fishingmore hours per year, have increased fishing pressure on many bodies ofwater. This increase in pressure has led to increased demand for manyimprovements in angling equipment. Quite frankly, there are more anglerscompeting for the existing fish on any given body of water than everbefore.

[0005] One of the remedies for this situation has been better equipmenttechnology and improved mobility for anglers to reach areas that willyield fishing action.

[0006] To date, most of the angling technological improvements relatedto increased mobility have been applied to fresh water fishing. There isone angling method that has been severely under served by improvementsin mobility: the area of ice fishing. Ice fishing has enjoyed increasedpopularity in recent years. Large ice fishing tournaments are becomingmore common in the northern climates.

[0007] Ice fishing today, like any other form of fishing, demands thatone go to where the fish are. Unlike pulling the anchor in a boat andmotoring to another area, this is not so easily accomplished in atraditional ice fishing shelter.

[0008] One of the problems facing ice anglers is the time, labor, anddifficulty of moving a traditional stationary ice fishing shelter. Themajority of stationary shelters in use today are towed across the ice tothe chosen fishing area by some type of motorized vehicle, by trailer,or on skids or wheels attached to the floor of the shelter. The sheltersare then set directly on the ice surface and possibly even banked withsnow.

[0009] If the angler wishes to move to another area of the ice, or to anentirely different body of water, the shelter must by lifted onto thetrailer and towed by a vehicle to the chosen locale. Many times theshelter may be frozen down, making for a labor intensive move andpossibly damaging the structure.

[0010] Another option in moving to another area is to abandon the icehouse. This option is not appealing to many fishermen, since comfort isa key component to the ice fishing experience. This option is generallyuncomfortable as the fisherman generally sits on a bucket on the icewhile fishing.

[0011] Recently, there has been a movement by some shelter manufacturersto produce shelters with wheels attached to them, allowing them to bepulled as a trailer behind an automobile or all terrain vehicle. Whilethis simplifies the movement, the angler must still utilize a towvehicle and pull the shelter to his or her chosen angling area. Often,depending on snow depth, ice conditions, or proximity to area resorts,the angler must adhere to traveling on specified maintained roads orother accessible areas of the ice.

[0012] There is also a safety issue with such an arrangement, especiallyat the beginning and end of the ice fishing season. Each year ice housesare lost when placed or left on ice which is too thin. Ice houses canbreak through the ice, severely damaging the ice shelter and placing theoccupants at risk.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need for a totally mobile, efficient, fast,and safe solution to the aforementioned situation. There is also a needfor a shelter which provides for quick, trouble free travel and set-up,but due to its integral flotation system, it provides peace of mind bybeing totally buoyant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A self-propelled ice shelter includes a frame, a housing and adrive device attached to the frame, and a power source attached to theframe to the drive device. The power source propels the self-propelledice shelter. A weather stripping skirt substantially seals the spacebetween the housing and the surface on which the self-propelled iceshelter is positioned when the self-propelled ice shelter is stationary.In some embodiments, the weather stripping skirt is deployed to a sealposition or to an underway position. In the underway position, the skirtis positioned to allow for clearance when the self-propelled ice shelteris moving. In other embodiments, the weather stripping skirt has asubstantially fixed height. The drive device is movable with respect tothe frame between a drive position and a retracted position. The drivedevice is moved to the retracted position when the self-propelled iceshelter is stationary until the weather stripping skirt contacts thesurface, and forms a seal between the housing and the surface on whichthe self-propelled ice shelter is positioned. In some embodiments, thedrive device is includes a hydraulic apparatus for moving the drivedevice between the drive position and the retracted position. In otherembodiments, a lever apparatus moves the drive device between the driveposition and the retracted position. The drive device includes a set ofwheels. The drive device, in some embodiments, includes a track. In someembodiments, the self-propelled ice shelter includes a leveler attachedto the frame. The leveler levels the self-propelled ice shelter whenstationary.

[0015] The self-propelled ice shelter includes a floor having at leastone opening therein. In some embodiments, the self-propelled ice shelterincludes a template attached to the frame. The template is used to markthe position of openings with respect to the footprint of the housing sothat an opening may be made in the surface on which the self-propelledice shelter is positioned that aligns with the opening in the floor ofthe housing of the self-propelled ice shelter. In some embodiments, thetemplate is a collapsible apparatus capable of a stowed position and atemplate position.

[0016] A method includes driving a self-propelled shelter to a positionnear a desired position on a surface, and positioning a template on thedesired position on the surface. The surface of the desired position ismarked using the template. The self-propelled shelter is drivensubstantially to the desired position on the surface based on the marksmade on the surface. The method also includes making an opening in thesurface based on one of the marks made on the surface. Driving theself-propelled shelter substantially to the desired position on thesurface substantially aligns the opening in the surface with an openingin a floor of the self-propelled shelter. In some embodiments, themethod includes sealing a space between the floor of the self-propelledshelter and the surface.

[0017] A method of ice fishing includes positioning a template onto anice surface. The template has at least one marking for positioning anopening to be made in the ice surface. At least one opening in the icesurface is made which corresponds to the at the at least one positionthe template. The shelter is moved over the opening. The shelter has afloor having at least one opening. Moving the shelter over the at leastone opening substantially aligns the at least one opening on the surfaceof the ice surface with the at least one opening in the floor of theshelter. The method also includes marking the ice surface where the atleast one opening will be located, and marking the ice surface to enablealignment of the at least one opening in the ice surface with the atleast one opening in the floor of the shelter. Marking the ice surfaceto enable alignment includes making at least two marks on the icesurface. In some embodiments, marking the ice surface to enablealignment includes placing markers viewable from a housing of the iceshelter on the ice surface.

[0018] Also disclosed is an ice shelter having an integral buoyantsystem so that if the ice house should break through the ice, the iceshelter will float thereby minimizing the amount of equipment lost andpreventing entrapment should there be occupants within the ice shelterat the time of such a mishap.

[0019] Advantageously, the self-propelled ice house allows for a mobile,efficient, fast and safe solution to allow ice fisherman increasedmobility without giving up comfort when ice fishing. The self-propelledice shelter allows comfort to be maintained and also allows for quick,trouble-free travel between fishing locations. The self-propelled iceshelter can be set up in a matter of minutes. The self-propelled iceshelter also includes an integral flotation system, that allows fishingto be conducted in a safe manner and provides peace of mind to thefisherman as well as to the families of fisherman.

[0020] These and various other features as well as advantages whichcharacterize the present invention will be apparent upon reading of thefollowing detailed description and review of the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-propelledice shelter.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of a self-propelledice shelter.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a seal alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a seal.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a top view of a drilling template according to thisinvention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a top view of another embodiment of a drilling templateof this invention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a top view of a surface after openings have been made inthe surface and markers have been placed on the surface.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a self-propelled ice shelterparked on a surface after openings have been made in the surface andmarkers have been placed on the surface.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an integral buoyant systemassociated with an ice shelter.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a drive system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In the following detailed description of the embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electricalchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent inventions. The following detailed description is, therefore,not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the presentinventions is defined only by the appended claims.

[0032]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of aself-propelled ice shelter 100.

[0033] The self-propelled ice shelter 100 includes a frame 110. Ahousing 120 is attached to the frame. The housing is of a size toaccommodate one or more adult humans. The housing is also insulated toprotect the housing from becoming excessively cold or excessively warmin extreme weather. Within the housing are windows 122, 123. Theself-propelled ice shelter 100 also includes at least one drive device130. As shown in FIG. 1, there are also drive devices 132 and 134. Yetanother drive device is not shown, as it is associated with the othercorner of the housing 120. Each drive device 130 is essentially thesame, or is substantially the same, and includes a set of wheels 141 anda belt 142. The drive device has a main body 143. The wheels 141 andbelt 142 are attached to the main body 143. The main body 143 isattached to the housing 120, or more specifically to the frame 110 ofthe housing 120, using a hydraulic ram 145. The hydraulic ram 145 isused to move the drive device 130 with respect to the frame 110 of thehousing 120. In some instances, the hydraulic rams 145 will be used tolevel the self-propelled ice shelter when it reaches a desired position.In other instances, the drive devices may be retracted until the bottomsurface of the housing 120 engages the surface over which theself-propelled ice shelter is positioned. The self-propelled ice shelter100 also includes a power source for propelling the drive device ordrive devices 130, 132, 134 on the ice house. It should be noted thatthe ice shelter 100 shown in FIG. 1 and discussed in this invention is aself-propelled ice shelter, which means it includes a power source suchas an engine, solar cells, or a battery bank, that can be used to drivethe drive units 130, 132, 134. In other words, in order to changeposition, the self-propelled ice shelter can be driven to a new spot onthe ice, or can be driven off of the ice and driven into a garage forstorage. This is differentiated from any other shelters, which do nothave a source of power on board. Other ice shelters or ice houses aremoved using an external source of power.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of a self-propelledice shelter 200. The self-propelled ice shelter 200 includes a frame210, and a housing 220 attached to the frame 210. The housing 220includes several windows 222, 223, 224. Attached to the housing 220, andmore specifically attached to the frame 210 of the housing 220, are afirst drive device 230 and a second drive device 232. Only two drivedevices are shown, when in fact there are two additional drive devicesnot shown, on the opposite side of the housing 220 of the self-propelledice shelter 200. Each drive unit 230, 232 includes at least one drivewheel 241. The at least one drive wheel 241 engages a belt 242. Thedrive units 230, 232 retract or can move with respect to the frame 210and the housing 220 of the self-propelled ice shelter 200. Attachedalong the lower edge of the housing 220 is a weather seal 250. Theweather seal 250 is positioned along the outer perimeter of the vehicle,as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that a seal need not run exactlyaround the perimeter of the outside footprint of the housing 220, butmay also be positioned substantially in board of the outer perimeter.The weather seal 250 is for sealing the housing 220 with respect to theoutside elements. In practice, the self-propelled ice shelter 200 willinclude one or more openings in the bottom or floor of the housing 220.The weather seal 250 should at least encircle or substantially encirclethese openings to prevent cold air, wind and snow from entering theinterior portion of the housing 220. As shown in this embodiment, theweather seal 250 extends substantially around or near the outsideperimeter of the housing 220.

[0035]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a seal 250.The cross-sectional view is along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. The seal 250includes a cylindrical portion 310, which appears circular incross-section. The cylindrical portion 310 includes a hollow center orhollow interior portion 312. The cylindrical portion 310 is made of aflexible material, such as butyl rubber or another elastomeric material.The seal 250 also includes an elongated tab 320, which has a series ofopenings 321 therein. The seal 250 is attached to the frame 210 of thehousing 220 of the self-propelled ice shelter 200 using a series offasteners, such as the one fastener 330 shown in FIG. 3. In thisparticular embodiment, the fastener 330 is a hex-head bolt which isreceived by a corresponding threaded opening in the frame 210 of theself-propelled ice shelter 200. It should also be noted that any othertype of fastener may be used, such as a sheet metal screw, or any typeof clip. The fasteners, such as hex bolt 330, must be sufficientlysubstantial to hold the elongated tab and cylindrical portion 310 of theseal 250. Installing the seal 250 merely includes molding a seal 250 tothe exact footprint of the housing 220 of the self-propelled ice shelter200, or in the alternative, the seal 250 can be made of a flexiblematerial so that an appropriate length is merely cut off and the seal250 is attached to the frame 210 of the housing 220. In operation, theself-propelled ice shelter 200 is moved into position and the drivemechanisms, such as drive mechanisms 230, 232, are retracted until theseal 250 contacts the surface over which the self-propelled ice shelter200 is positioned. The seal 250 then forms a seal between the housing220 and the surface, such as a sheet of ice on a lake or other body ofwater, over which the self-propelled ice shelter 200 is positioned.

[0036]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a seal450. The seal 450 includes a first expandable wall or bellows 410, and asecond expandable wall or bellows 412. The seal 450 also includes aframe 414, which is attached at various points along the first bellows410 and second bellows 412. A rod 430 is attached to the frame 414. Therod 430 moves up and down, or moves with respect to the frame 414 of thehousing 420 of the self-propelled ice shelter 400. In this particularembodiment, the drive unit 440 is fixed with respect to the frame 414and housing 420 of the self-propelled ice shelter 400. The drive unit440 also includes a belt 442. In operation, the self-propelled iceshelter 400 is moved into position. As the self-propelled ice shelter400 moves, the seal 450 is in a retracted position where the rod iswithdrawn into the housing 420. After the self-propelled ice shelter 400is appropriately positioned, the rod is extended down toward the surfaceover which the self-propelled ice shelter 400 is positioned, until theframe 414 of the seal 450 contacts the surface over which theself-propelled ice shelter 400 is positioned. The extendable walls orbellows 410, 412 are attached to the frame 414, as well as to thehousing 420 of the self-propelled ice shelter 400. In some embodiments,the frame 414 associated with the seal 450 and the shafts 430 which movethe frame 414 of the seal 450 up and down with respect to the housing420 could be made as one of several units attached to the housing 420.The rod or shaft 430 and the frame 414 could be made substantial enoughso that independent rods 430 and seal frames 414 could be used to levelthe housing 420. Advantageously, the bellows-like walls 410, 412 of theseal 450 would adapt to the various levels in the event the surface overwhich the self-propelled ice shelter 400 is positioned would happen tobe uneven. In some embodiments, a separate set of leveling devices couldbe used, such as hydraulically driven rods or jacks, which would engagethe surface and automatically level the self-propelled ice shelter 400.In one embodiment, a first level detector would be placed transverse tothe center line of the self-propelled ice shelter 100, 200, 400, and asecond level detector would be placed parallel to a similar axis. Acircuit containing a feedback loop to determine if a sensor produces asignal indicating level within a certain selected amount, and anothercircuit for determining whether the second level detector is level witha selected amount, and having a feedback loop could be used in order toproduce a self-leveling self-propelled ice shelter 100, 200, 400.

[0037]FIG. 5 is a top view of a drilling template 500 attached to theforward end 229 of the self-propelled ice shelter 200. The drillingtemplate 500 is formed of an accordion-style linkage 510. Theaccordion-style linkage 510 includes cross members 520, 521, 522, 523,524, and 525. Each of the cross members is pivotally attached to anothercross member approximately midway along its length. The ends of eachcross member are also pivotally attached to either another cross memberor an end member, such as end member 526 or 527. The end member 527 isattached to the forward portion 229 of the self-propelled ice shelter200. By example, cross member 520 is pivotally attached to cross member525, midway along its length. Cross member 520 has a first end, which ispivotally attached to the end member 527. Cross member 520 also hasanother end, which is pivotally attached to another cross member 524.Also by way of example, cross member 521 is pivotally attached to crossmember 524 midway along its length. The ends of cross member 521 areattached to cross member 523 and cross member 525. Thus the linkageformed 510, is an accordion-style length, which can be folded up orplaced in a retracted position and attached to the front edge or forwardportion 229 of the self-propelled ice shelter 200. The accordion-stylelinkage 510 includes a series of marks where openings or holes should bedrilled within an ice surface. The holes or openings correspond in thespacing and position to openings in the floor of the self-propelled iceshelter 200. As shown in FIG. 5, the openings are formed at selectedpivot points on the accordion-style linkage. As shown in FIG. 5, theopenings or markings carry the reference numerals 530, 531, 532, 533,534, and 535. It should be noted that the accordion-style linkage 510has a fully extended position to assure that the markings 530, 531, 532,533, 534, 535 represent the appropriate spacing between the openings inthe floor of the self-propelled ice shelter 200. It should also be notedthat the markings need not be at the pivot points, but could also benotches, or painted portions along any one of the bars or cross members520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525 or 526. In other words, the markings couldbe positioned inwardly from the actual pivot points at the end of thecross members. In operation, the self-propelled ice shelter 200 is movedto a position proximate or adjacent where it is desired to fish. Thelinkage 510 is taken from its retracted position to its fully extendedposition, the ice is marked, holes are drilled at the marks, and thenthe drilling template 500 represented by the linkage 510 is placed againin its retracted position and the self-propelled ice shelter 200 ismoved into position over the openings formed. The ice house can then belowered to seal between the housing and the ice surface, or a seal 450may be extended downwardly to seal between the ice surface and thehousing. There also may be some portions of the seal 450 which can beused to level the self-propelled ice shelter 200.

[0038]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a drilling template 600. Thedrilling template 600 is merely a sheet of appropriate material, whichincludes a set of openings, such as 630, 632, which correspond toopenings in the floor of the self-propelled ice shelter 200. Thedrilling template 600 also includes markings for posts or other markerswhich can be placed into the surface, so that as the self-propelled iceshelter 200 is driven into position, more visible markers can be used bythe driver of the self-propelled ice shelter 200 to correctly positionthe self-propelled ice shelter 200 over the openings formed in the ice.As shown in FIG. 6, the drilling template 600 has been placed on theice, the openings 630 and 632 have been marked, and posts 650, 651, 652,653 have been placed at a set of corresponding markers 640, 641, 642,643 associated with the drilling template. The drilling template maythen be removed, leaving just the posts 650, 651, 652, 653, and theopenings in the ice. FIG. 7 shows the posts 650, 651, 652, 653 and anopening 710, and an opening 712 in the ice 700. The self-propelled iceshelter 200 can then be driven into place over the opening 710 and theopening 712 in the ice 700 using the posts as guides viewable from theinterior of the self-propelled ice shelter 200.

[0039]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the self-propelled ice shelter 200parked on the surface over the openings, after the openings have beenmade and the surface has been marked with markers or stakes 652, 653. Inoperation, the self-propelled ice shelter 200 is driven into place andthe markers 651, 652, 653 are used by the driver to determine the exactlocation, or nearly the exact location, where the openings in the icecorrespond to the openings in the floor of the self-propelled iceshelter 200.

[0040]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an integral buoyant systemassociated with a self-propelled ice shelter. FIG. 9 shows a cut-awayperspective view of the housing 920 of a self-propelled ice shelter 900.The housing 920 of the self-propelled ice shelter 900 includes an airpocket or set of air pockets that are formed about the periphery of thehousing 920. The air pocket carries a reference numeral 960, 961, 962,963. The buoyant areas 960, 961, 962, 963 can be filled with air or astyrofoam material that is buoyant when placed in water. The integralbuoyant device 960, 961, 962, 963 is an added safety feature to theself-propelled ice shelter 900, in that if the weight of theself-propelled ice shelter 900 should cause the ice shelter to breakthrough the surface, such as ice on a lake, the self-buoyant featurewill prevent the self-propelled ice shelter 900 from sinking to thebottom of the lake.

[0041]FIG. 10 is an embodiment of a drive system associated with theself-propelled ice shelter described above. The drive system shown inFIG. 10 is a hydraulic system. The self-propelled ice house includesfour drive units 230, 232, 1030, 1032. Each of the drive units includesa drive sprocket 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016. Each of the drive sprocketsdrives a belt 1040, 1042, 1044, 1046. The drive sprockets are eachfluidly coupled to a pump 1050 via fluid lines 1060, 1062, 1064, 1066such as hydraulic hoses. It should be noted that although only onehydraulic line is shown to each drive sprocket 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016,there generally are two lines or a set of lines for delivering the fluidto each drive sprocket 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016 and returning fluid to thepump 1050. The pump 1050 for pumping hydraulic fluid is attached to anengine 1070 associated with the self-propelled ice house. As shown inFIG. 10, the pump is attached to four drive units 230, 232, 1030, 1032.In other embodiments, the pump 1050 maybe attached to two of the driveunits 230, 232, 1030, 1032. In still other embodiments, each drive unitcan have an individual pump associated therewith.

[0042] Advantageously, the self-propelled ice shelter disclosed providesa dependable, aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, affordable,self-propelled angling shelter for the purpose of allowing rapidmovement and set-up of an ice fishing house, and to enable vehicleoccupants to travel quickly and safely on a frozen body of water to avariety of angling areas.

[0043] Conclusion

[0044] A self-propelled ice shelter includes a frame, a housing and adrive device attached to the frame, and a power source attached to theframe to the drive device. The power source propels the self-propelledice shelter. A weather stripping skirt substantially seals the spacebetween the housing and the surface on which the self-propelled iceshelter is positioned when the self-propelled ice shelter is stationary.In some embodiments, the weather stripping skirt is deployed to a sealposition or to an underway position. In the underway position, the skirtis positioned to allow for clearance when the self-propelled ice shelteris moving. In other embodiments, the weather stripping skirt has asubstantially fixed height. The drive device is movable with respect tothe frame between a drive position and a retracted position. The drivedevice is moved to the retracted position when the self-propelled iceshelter is stationary until the weather stripping skirt contacts thesurface, and forms a seal between the housing and the surface on whichthe self-propelled ice shelter is positioned. In some embodiments, thedrive device is includes a hydraulic apparatus for moving the drivedevice between the drive position and the retracted position. In otherembodiments, a lever apparatus moves the drive device between the driveposition and the retracted position. The drive device includes a set ofwheels. The drive device, in some embodiments, includes a track. In someembodiments, the self-propelled ice shelter includes a leveler attachedto the frame. The leveler levels the self-propelled ice shelter whenstationary.

[0045] The self-propelled ice shelter includes a floor having at leastone opening therein. In some embodiments, the self-propelled ice shelterincludes a template attached to the frame. The template is used to markthe position of openings with respect to the footprint of the housing sothat an opening may be made in the surface on which the self-propelledice shelter is positioned that aligns with the opening in the floor ofthe housing of the self-propelled ice shelter. In some embodiments, thetemplate is a collapsible apparatus capable of a stowed position and atemplate position.

[0046] A method of ice fishing includes positioning a template onto anice surface. The template has at least one marking for positioning anopening to be made in the ice surface. At least one opening in the icesurface is made which corresponds to the at the at least one positionthe template. The shelter is moved over the opening. The shelter has afloor having at least one opening. Moving the shelter over the at leastone opening substantially aligns the at least one opening on the surfaceof the ice surface with the at least one opening in the floor of theshelter. The method also includes marking the ice surface where the atleast one opening will be located, and marking the ice surface to enablealignment of the at least one opening in the ice surface with the atleast one opening in the floor of the shelter. Marking the ice surfaceto enable alignment includes making at least two marks on the icesurface. In some embodiments, marking the ice surface to enablealignment includes placing markers viewable from a housing of the iceshelter on the ice surface.

[0047] A method includes driving a self-propelled shelter to a positionnear a desired position on a surface, and positioning a template on thedesired position on the surface. The surface of the desired position ismarked using the template. The self-propelled shelter is drivensubstantially to the desired position on the surface based on the marksmade on the surface. The method also includes making an opening in thesurface based on one of the marks made on the surface. Driving theself-propelled shelter substantially to the desired position on thesurface substantially aligns the opening in the surface with an openingin a floor of the self-propelled shelter. In some embodiments, themethod includes sealing a space between the floor of the self-propelledshelter and the surface.

[0048] Also disclosed is an ice shelter that includes an integralflotation device, which increases the safety associated with icefishing.

[0049] It is to be understood that the above description is intended tobe illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-propelled ice shelter comprising: a frame;a housing attached to the frame; a drive device attached to the frame; apower source attached to the frame and to the drive device, the powersource for propelling the self-propelled ice shelter.
 2. Theself-propelled ice shelter of claim 1, further comprising a weatherstripping skirt adapted to substantially seal the space between thehousing and the surface on which the self-propelled ice shelter ispositioned when the self-propelled ice shelter is stationary.
 3. Theself-propelled ice shelter of claim 2, wherein the weather strippingskirt can be deployed to a seal position and to an underway positionwhich allows for clearance when the self-propelled ice shelter isunderway.
 4. The self-propelled ice shelter of claim 2, wherein theweather stripping skirt has a substantially fixed height.
 5. Theself-propelled ice shelter of claim 4, wherein the drive device ismovable with respect to the frame between a drive position and aretracted position, wherein the drive device is moved to the retractedposition when the self-propelled ice shelter is stationary until theweather stripping skirt forms a seal between the housing and the surfaceon which the self-propelled ice shelter is positioned.
 6. Theself-propelled ice shelter of claim 5, further comprising a hydraulicapparatus for moving the drive device between the drive position and theretracted position.
 7. The self-propelled ice shelter of claim 5,further comprising a lever apparatus for moving the drive device betweenthe drive position and the retracted position.
 8. The self-propelled iceshelter of claim 1, wherein the drive device includes a set of wheels.9. The self-propelled ice shelter of claim 1, wherein the drive deviceincludes a track.
 10. The self-propelled ice shelter of claim 1, furthercomprising a leveler attached to the frame for leveling theself-propelled ice shelter when stationary.
 11. The self-propelled iceshelter of claim 1, wherein the housing of the self-propelled iceshelter includes a floor having at least one opening therein, theself-propelled ice shelter further comprising a template attached to theframe, the template used to mark the position of openings with respectto the footprint of the housing so that an opening may be made in thesurface on which the self-propelled ice shelter is positioned that willalign with the opening in the floor of the housing of the self-propelledice shelter.
 12. The self-propelled ice shelter of claim 11, wherein thetemplate is a collapsible apparatus capable of a stowed position and atemplate position.
 13. A method comprising: driving a self-propelledshelter to a position near a desired position on a surface; positioninga template on the desired position on the surface; marking the surfaceof the desired position using the template; and driving theself-propelled shelter substantially to the desired position on thesurface based on the marks made on the surface.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising making an opening in the surface based on one ofthe marks made on the surface.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereindriving the self-propelled shelter substantially to the desired positionon the surface substantially aligns the opening in the surface with anopening in a floor of the self-propelled shelter.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising sealing a space between the floor of theself-propelled shelter and the surface.
 17. A method of ice fishingcomprising: positioning a template onto an ice surface, the templatehaving at least one marking for positioning an opening to be made in theice surface; making at least one opening in the ice surface at the atleast one position the template; and moving a shelter over the opening,the shelter having a floor having at least one opening, wherein movingthe shelter over the at least one opening substantially aligns the atleast one opening on the surface of the ice surface with the at leastone opening in the floor of the shelter.
 18. The method of claim 17,further comprising: marking the ice surface where the at least oneopening will be located; and marking the ice surface to enable alignmentof the at least one opening in the ice surface with the at least oneopening in the floor of the shelter.
 19. The method of claim 18 whereinmarking the ice surface to enable alignment includes making at least twomarks on the ice surface.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein marking theice surface to enable alignment includes placing markers viewable from ahousing of the ice shelter on the ice surface.
 21. An ice sheltercomprising: a frame; a housing attached to the frame; and a buoyantdevice integral to the frame and housing.